Bonnie D. Ayotte, age 70, of 7437 26th Road (P.0. Box 252); Rapid River passed away on Monday afternoon, November 17th, 2008, at the Christian Park Village in Escanaba following a lengthy illness.

Bonnie was born August 13th, 1938 in Muskegon, Michigan, the daughter of Harold and Bertha (Olson) Smith and was raised in Escanaba. She was a lifelong Delta County resident and was a graduate of the Escanaba High School. During her working life, Bonnie was employed as a nurse’s aide for a number of years for area nursing homes.

She attended the Calvary Lutheran Church and enjoyed gardening and home decorating. However, her family, especially her grandchildren, were a special source of joy and comfort to her life.  

In addition to her husband, Perry Ayotte, whom she married November 7th, 1959, Bonnie’s  survivors include:

1 Son-Dan Ayotte of Rapid River

2 Daughters- Mary Beth (Dennis) Helgemo of Gladstone; Linda Marie Ayotte of Rapid River

1 Sister-Shirley (Clifford) Mattson of Marinette, WI

6 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren, 1 nephew, and numerous cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

The family of Bonnie Ayotte will receive friends on Friday at Skradski Funeral Home in Gladstone from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Service celebrating Bonnie’s life will follow on Friday at 6:00 p.m. at the Skradski Funeral Home with Rev. Stephen Gauger of the Calvary Lutheran Church officiating. Burial will be in the Rapid River Cemetery.